Shhh! The Baby's Asleep
What’s inside...
In 'Shhh! The Baby's Asleep,' author JaNay Brown-Wood crafts a playful and rhythmic story about a family trying to keep the noise down in order to ensure their baby stays asleep. The narrative follows the family members as they tiptoe around the house and encounter various potential noise hazards that could wake the baby. With each close call, they remind each other to be quiet, using the repeated phrase 'Shhh! The baby's asleep.' The book's illustrations complement the text by depicting the humorous and relatable challenges of keeping a peaceful environment for a sleeping infant. This charming tale resonates with parents and siblings who understand the delicate balance of maintaining silence and the consequences of a baby's disrupted sleep.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the characters are feeling when they try to keep everything quiet?
Why is it important to be quiet when the baby is asleep?
How do the characters solve the problem of noise in the story?
Can you think of a time when you had to be very quiet? How did you manage it?
What are some other ways the characters could keep the baby asleep?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage children to express their thoughts and feelings about the book's scenarios. Use gentle probing questions to help them connect the story to their own experiences. Emphasize the importance of empathy by discussing the characters' emotions and actions. Illustrate daily scenarios at home similar to the book's theme to make the discussion more relatable. Praise children for their insights and ideas, fostering a positive reading environment.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of quiet and consideration
Explanation: The story illustrates the struggle of keeping noise levels low to avoid waking the baby, emphasizing thoughtfulness towards others.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be mindful of their noise levels in shared spaces, promoting harmonious living.
Example Lesson: Cooperation among siblings
Explanation: Characters in the book work together to maintain tranquility, showcasing effective teamwork.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to collaborate with their peers or siblings in collective tasks or games.
Example Lesson: Understanding the consequences of actions
Explanation: The narrative connects the dots between loud noises and the baby waking up, helping kids see the effects of their behavior.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this awareness by considering the potential results before acting, in various aspects of life.